The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1887-04-29
Warrington.
trro~ our regular correspondent,
WAsulsoToS, April 18th, 1887.

4 w
Next month the National CapIto
will see more ot sahe pomp and cir.
cumstance oi warn than ever before,
It Is probable too that the largest
crowd IL visitors that ever assembled
In this clty will come to wItuess the
most novel event that will take place
here during the present year. The
NalIonal drill will commence on the
23rd Of May aud will close on the
30lh Of that month, "Decsfailon
Day. with grand combiGation
parade upon tho broad, asphalt streets
OF soldiers from everywhere.
The North, South, East and West,
Lake regions aud Gulf sections will
be represented hy their contingent {
slehtseers as well as their citizen sol-
dlery who VIII compete for the prizes.
May finds Washington la Its glory /;
fresh verdure, balmy air and flowers,
and military displays are always po-
pnlar. The fare of brass bands, the
shrill piping flfes. the "horoIc voices
of tho tug:es." the rattling drums,
the Furnished arms, brilliant uniforms,
prancing steeds, white city Of tents,
ard flying banners always appeal to
the sepses and martial spirit Of the
people.
The grounds for the camp are the
monument grounds lying around the
Washington monument and the
drill ground Is that level eIIIpse lying
just south ofthe White House, known
as the White LIT. This level plain
IL one bali mile In circumference and
stands will be ere cted around II on
which 10 seat the spectators. Here
viii daily be held the contests to
prove the excellence OF the cavalry,
Infantry, artillery and z0uave tactics.
Every evening during drill week
there will be a grand brigade dress
parade, aud on Governors day and
Memorial day the entire army cnrps
from Camp George Washington will
parade through the streets Of tho city.
Each evening also the grounds will
be Illuminated for promenade con.
cerls, and other attractions which are
being prepared for the public.
Besides the s2e, 500 to be distrIbu'- :
ed In cash prizes, there will be gnld,
silver and bronze medals, special
medals and plate trophies aad stands
of colors. Some Of the companies
which ere entered for the drill have
said In advance that they have no
expectation Of winning prizes, hut
that they are ccming simply for the
recreation and pleasure OF the trip.
ThIrty-slx States are already repre- :
sented In the applications made for
entry, and yesterday one was receIv-
ed at the drill headquarters from
Dakota.
One very important feature of the
affair is t1e provision for board and
shelter for the immense crowd oil
visitors ihatwIll come TO Washington
Is city OF hotels and boarding h0us
es. II was not crowded during the
Cleveland Inauguration, although II
was estimated tha. there were then
two hundred thousand strangers In
the city. Washington offer1 many
inducements for weeks visit, be,
sides the National drill. II /. 10y fal
the most beautiful as well as the mos
interesting city in the Union, and
Arlington, Bladensburg, Mount Yer
non, Harper's Ferry and many othel
historic spots arc close by.
The action of the two military
companies in withdrawing from th,
drill because of the participation o
colored troops in the contest, created
no little surprise among the mana
gers. At first they were disposed Il
credit the dispatches from Alabama
When they were confirmed, Secre.
tary DeLeon of the drill committe
remarked, that he did not propose t
criticise the withdrawal of the Mont
gomery compauies, they had per
feet right to come or not az the,
pleased but regarding the admIs
sinn Of the Virginia Safe Guards, h
said that they are recognized an
regularly organized soldiers Of tn
State OF Virginis, aud their right /
onter could not be dcnled under an
law, civil, military or moral. Coy
Lee had assigned them places IN th
military ceremonies at the laying Z
tho corner stone OF Richmond's Cit
Hall. Our committee" I" said he "I
composed almost entirely OF Demo
crats and Of Southern men but ther
was not the least hesItancy or della
when the first colord company mad
fta formal annl,oa.sor